Let My Children Go:

Why Parents Must

Remove Their Children
From Public Schools
NOW
A Book Review by James A. Boyes
I
t is with great pleasure and enthusiasm _ that I
offer the following appraisal of Rev. E. Ray
Moore's new book, Let MY Children Go. This
excellent tool is designed to recapture K-thru-12
Christian education as a church-related and family-
related ministry. Rev. Moore has put together what
could be the very instrument used to help turn
American culture away from the abyss of intellectual
and spiritual decay. But before the
church can restore its God-ordained
role towards assisting the K-thru-12
education of Christian children,
its pastors and other leaders must
comprehend and apply what Moore
identifies as "a Biblical theology of
education."
In Let My Children Go, Rev. Moore,
through the use of God's Word
and traditional Christian worldview
logic, paves the way for our
realization of the sharp differences
between the mission of humanist-
oriented, state education contrasted
with the Biblical basis for Christian
education in the home and private
schools. Many of these differences
are seemingly harmless until one
examines them with the light God gives each and
every Christian. And, according to Moore, we must
set aside our humanist inclinations and consider this
issue from God's perspective, not our own. Wemust
apply God-centered thinking, as opposed to man-
centered thinking when it comes to en,couraging the
church towards "a Biblical theology of education."
So, is Rev. Moore merely sounding his trumpet to
make popular yet another recipe for educational
reform? Nothing could be further from the truth.
Instead of reform, Rev. Moore calls for Christians to
abandon state schools or "Pharaoh's school system
8 the COUNSEL of CHALCEDON
(i.e., government schools) for the Promised Land of
Christian schools or home schooling."
Why is abandonment of state schools necessary?
Can't we just "fix" the problem of public education
with better ideas, more money, more teachers, new
technology, etc., etc? More and more Christians are
beginning understand that the clear answer to
this question'is an emphatic "No.!" State schools,
according to Rev. Moore, are built upon a socialist,
humacist-oriented model. Socialism, from its very
foundation, is not compatible with Christianity and
a free market economy. Government education's
socialist model is, however, a brilliant means by which
the hearts and minds of children toward
the goals and purposes of the state.
Thus we begin to see a batde line drawn by those who
wish to children toward the goals of state
education, versus those who wish to educate and
point children toward their Creator
to fulfill His purposes in their lives.
And with Christ, we must keep in
mind; there is no neutral ground.
In so many ways, throughout this far-
reaching treatise, Ray Moore conveys
the strong and powerful message that
we must stop' " ... raising generation
after generation in a system called
'public schools' where Jesus Christ
cannot be named and where the
Bible is the most censored book."
Rev. Moore has left no stone un-
turned in this book.
Chapter One "The Family School"
covers his own personal history in
the home schooling movement along
with the success story of his family,
followed by the clash between the Goals 2000 federal
education mandate and the early stages of the Exodus
Mand:;tte (then called Exodus 2000) movement.
Chapter Two "Get Behind Me Horace Mann: The
Rise and Fall of State-Sponsored Education" covers
the history and background of American public
education, the rise of secular humanism, and the
emergence of progressive education. Moore also
acquaints the reader with the School-to-Work federal
education law and. how this mandate has changed the
whole purpose of public schools. It is here that Ray
Moore draws upon educational discernment from the
. '
r-.
,""
Let My Children Go
past: namely, Dr. Archibald A. Hodge, R.L. Dabney, J.
Gresham Machen, and Dr. Gordon Clark.
Chapter Three "Toward a Biblical Theology of
Education" is perhaps one of the more essential
chapters, as it sheds light upon the Biblical purpose,
and application of education in the Christian home and
private Christian schools. It is here that Rev. Moore
draws upon The Great Commission as a foundation for
K-thru-12 Christian education. He also covers the need
for education-friendly churches and the educational
responsibility of Christian families.
Chapter Four "The Basic Errors of
Education and Why Reform Will Not Work" delves
into the four basic errors of state-sponsored education
as expressed by Marshall Fritz, founder and director of
the Alliance for the Separation of School and State.
Also observed is the unconstitutional foundation of
state education along with the distinction between
free market education and state-sponsored schools. Is,
however, Christian education a mere "choice" between
these two models?
Chapter Five 'Winning the Hearts and Minds of
the Shepherds" is, in my estimation, the most crucial
chapter in the book, because of use of
Scripture to assist pastors and other Christian leaders
to see the significance of their role in moving the
church and families towards the complete restoration
of K-thru-12 Christian education as a church/family
ministry. Moore also draws upon parallels between the
American Church today and the German Church prior
to World War II.
Chapter Six "Mine fields on the Road to the Promised
Land" helps Christian parents and pastors to know why
they need to steer clear of government funded vouchers,
charter schools, state certification / accreditation, and
character education reforms.
Chapter Seven "Civil Disobedience: We Ought to
Obey God Rather Than Men" explains the relationship
between Christians and government authority and the
Biblical limits to government authority. Also covered
are instances of Biblical and Christian disobedience. ,
Chapter Eight "The Next Great
the results of a fresh obedience by Christian parents
in the area of Christian education, resulting in a new
revival in America. Moore also takes note of the
growth and rise of the home school movement and
the close relationship between home' schooling and
Christian education. Also covered is the impact and
value of f=hristian education issues as addressed by the
Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
Chapter' Nine "Prospects for the Exodus Mandate"
takes' a look at objections to the Exodus Mandate,
along with prospects for the future of this important
ministry.
\'Let My Children Go: Epilogue" draws the book to
a close through the use of several military/historical
battles paralleled with the spiritual! educational warfare
we find ourselves in today. And it is here that Rev.
Moore leaves us with the following caveat:
I see a serious defeat before us if we do not seize
the moment and rescue the children from the
bondage of Pharaoh's schools and lead them to
the Promised Land of Christian schools and home
schooling .... Church history will not be kind in the
remembrance of this disaster should it happen.
... Similarly, Christian families will one day ask,
'Why did our pastors and Christian leaders fail to
lead our families and children out of danger and
into the safe pastures of Christian schools and
home schooling?"
I highly recommend all Christian parents, leaders, and
educators obtain and study the contents of this book
as soon as possible. Let 1V[y Children Go receives my
highest endorsement as a tool to communicate the need
to separate Christian children from humanist-oriented;
state-controlled schools, and draw them back to our
Lord, our families, and our churches as the means for
their education. After reading this book, you'll want
to order more copies to share with your pastor, family
members, friends, local Christian bookstore, and/or
local public library.
i
Some related web links:
Let 1V[y Children Go - Book:
zVlvw2. whidbry. net /jmbqyes / moore. htm
Let lvIjChil1ren Go - Video:
lvww2.lvhidbry. net/jmbqyes / letmy. htm
Exodus Mandate Project: lVlvw.exodusmandate.org
The Alliance for the Separation of School & State:
Www.sepschool.org
The N ehen'iiah Institute: www.nehemiahinstitllte.com
See the ad on the followingpage to order this book.
the COUNSEL of CHALCEDON 9
Let My Children Go
Christian Education Awareness
Network (CEANet)
Presents
Lei My Children Go
Why Parents Must Remove Their Children from Public Schools NOW
.1 0 the COUNSEL of CHALCEDON
Price: $14.95 (single copy)
3 copies for $36
5 copies for $50
10 copies for $80
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ade Hampton Blvd
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